UNICEF Concerned About Former Representative Baqer Namazi's Situation in Evin Prison

The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, expressed concern on Thursday, March 4, about the situation of Baqer Namazi, a former representative of the organization who is currently imprisoned in Iran. Baqer Namazi, 80 years old, was the governor of Khuzestan during Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's reign and served as UNICEF's representative in Somalia, Egypt, and Kenya until his retirement in 1996. He was arrested by security forces in Tehran about 10 days ago and transferred to Evin Prison. According to Reuters, UNICEF stated: 'Baqer Namazi's colleagues are deeply concerned about his health status.' The statement added: 'We hope he will be released soon and return to his family.' Baqer Namazi's son, Siamak Namazi, a former strategic planning manager at Crescent Petroleum, was arrested by Iranian security forces in October of this year. Both Baqer and Siamak Namazi hold dual Iranian-American citizenship. Baqer Namazi's wife, Afie Namazi, previously stated that her husband suffers from 'serious heart disease and other illnesses' and needs to take 'special heart medications and other drugs.' In this context, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also mentioned last week that he was aware of reports regarding Baqer Namazi's detention, an American citizen in Iran. Siamak Namazi, born in Tehran and educated in the U.S., was recognized in 2007 by the World Economic Forum as one of the 'Young Global Leaders.' Earlier, Siamak Namazi's mother reported that she learned through her son's fellow inmate's family that he had gone on a hunger strike, which, according to Mrs. Namazi, 'greatly increased the family's concern, as it would certainly harm his health.' However, a day before Baqer Namazi's arrest, his wife wrote on her Facebook page that Siamak had informed her during a phone call that he had ended his hunger strike.